Nude Garden Grove Man on Ariz. Freeway Shot After Attack

A nude Garden Grove man walking on Interstate 10 was shot Friday after attacking a highway patrol officer, authorities said.

Carlos Ricci, 23, was listed in stable condition in a Phoenix hospital after being shot twice by Officer Mike Bynaker of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, a department spokesman said.

Authorities said Ricci apparently went berserk after being hailed by Bynaker. Officials didn’t know why Ricci was nude, why he was on the highway or why he attacked the officer.

Bynaker had stopped to check an apparently abandoned truck on the highway about 12:45 a.m. when he saw Ricci walking in the highway’s emergency lane in the nude.

Bynaker called to Ricci, who turned back and charged toward the officer, authorities said.

Bynaker sprayed pepper spray on Ricci in an attempt to stop him and then began using his baton when Ricci continued his attack.

After Ricci grabbed the baton, Bynaker fired at him twice. The first shot hit Ricci in the chest after passing through one of his hands, and the other shot hit Ricci in the arm.

Despite the wounds, Ricci jumped toward the driver’s side of Bynaker’s patrol car and the officer slammed the door, inadvertently crushing the fingers of one of Ricci’s hands. Bynaker then finally was able to handcuff Ricci, police said.